Dentistry/fluoride

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Expert: - 3/11/2007


Question
just did learn that some feel the only reason that fluoride is dumped into the water supply in the usa is cause this is a cheap way to get rid of a toxic substance.

where i live the tap water can not be drunk so only bottled water should be taken. but actually i was giving fluoride tablets to my infant as he already had 3 teeth seriously decay. i was under the impression that the fluoride will harden the teeth making tooth decay much harder. sort of along the reasoning that older people dont get cavaties as much as younger people as there teeth have hardened up.

well i am doing the right thing or the wrong thing?

thanking you in advance.

Answer
dear Jii,
if the infant has cavities on his front top teeth the reason has nothing to do with fluoride. most likely he used the bottle as a pacifier and the contents in contact with the teeth caused the cavities.
Fluoride in the water supply is safe and effective.
Don't be fooled by the anti-fluoridationist who want to sell bottled water.
Tablets of fluoride should only be started when the baby is three years old anything before then is questionable. The tablets you are giving your son now
will not help his first set of teeth.
All the best,
Dr. Moss

Dentistry

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Stephen J. Moss

Expertise

I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.

Experience

Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.

Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center

Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India

Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.

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